Long-acting nifedipine and nitrendipine, a nifedipine analogue, have been proposed for single-drug therapy of hypertension. In this study we compared the two preparations in three groups (10 subjects in each group) of mild (group 1), moderate (group 2), and severe (group 3) hypertensives. Drugs were administered for seven days (20 mg every 8 hr), according to a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. Blood pressure and heart rate readings were taken hourly, from 8 A.M. to 7 P.M., for the duration of the trial. In group 1, pressure was lowered to normal levels by both compounds and did not recover in the interval between one dose and the other, so that it remained normal throughout the day. In group 2, from an average of 170/109, values were reduced by the two preparations to 140/90 mm Hg within two hours, and then they tended to recover. This tendency was interrupted by the next dose. Because of this pattern, compared with the placebo period, pressure was substantially reduced during the twelve hours of the day; however, for a certain span it remained higher than normal. In group 3, the immediate responses to the two drugs were similar (from an average of 208/130, pressure was lowered to an average of 170/95 mm Hg), and then it tended to rise again and recovery was faster with nifedipine. Although pressure was significantly reduced throughout the day by both preparations, normotension was never achieved in this group. Neither drug induced a tachycardia reaction, altered renal or cardiac function, or affected body weight or plasma renin activity. The tendency to produce dependent edema was less pronounced with nitrendipine. In conclusion, these calcium channel antagonists were equally effective in mild and moderate hypertension, while in the severe form the action of nitrendipine was more persistent. Within the limits of the drug regimens used in this study, it seems that both preparations as monotherapy may be satisfactory in mild, questionable in moderate, and inadequate for severe hypertension, although the action of nitrendipine is more lasting.

Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) and delayed blood pressure recovery are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Besides this evident link, the vagus is thought to play an inhibitory role in the regulation of other allostatic systems, including inflammation and the...

BACKGROUND: Exercise is widely promoted as a method of weight management, while the other health benefits are often ignored. The purpose of this study was to examine whether exercise-induced improvements in health are influenced by changes in body weight. METHODS: Fifty-eight sedentary...

This study determined the percentage of potential plasma donors who could donate plasma in the 3 allowable plasma volume limit categories as specified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as the association of the body mass index (BMI) of these individuals with age, blood pressure,...

The article presents a case report on peripheral oedema as a quetiapine related adverse effect. The patient's medical history included hypertension, treated from 1997 with calcium channel antagonists. At admission into the unit for dementia, the patient had no fever. His pulse rate was 64 bpm,...

The article focuses on a study on the influence of ascorbic acid on the thermic effect of feeding (TEF) in overweight and obese persons. It cites that the increase in plasma concentration of oxidized low-density lipoprotein in the postprandial state was prevented by the acute administration of...

After administration of metoprolol, plasma concentrations of the drug are markedly higher in CYP2D6 poor metabolizers (PMs) than in non-PMs. In a prospective double-blind 3-month study, we investigated whether this translates into differences in metoprolol's effects after initiation of therapy....

Objective. The Î²-adrenoceptor-blocking agent celiprolol undergoes negligible metabolism, but is a substrate for P-glycoprotein. Our objective was to investigate the effects of rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics of celiprolol in healthy subjects. Methods. In a randomized cross-over study with...